Brain Fertilizer

It's revealing how the pro-choice attitude parallels that of a certain Dr. Marcia Angell of Oregon, who's concerned that the state's assisted-suicide law is "not being used enough."

Man! There's no place like Oregon!

I am proud to live in a state where we allow people to choose if they want to end their life.

The shame is that the federal government continues to threaten Oregon doctors who actually provide this service...and now less and less are willing to provide a lethal dose of medication for fear of having their licenses revoked or receiving other punishment from the gubmint. I don't think there's less people who want to end their life peacefully with a modicum of cognitive ability. I think there's just less doctors willing to help them.

But hey, maybe all my years working in hospice makes me a little opinionated on this one.

Quick fact check, BTW: Are you sure she's a doctor in Oregon?

Ah, the beauty of blogs: no need to actually make sure the statements are accurate.

As long as we meet the standard set by CBS News and the New York Times, I see no problem.

[grin]

That's all right, Jo, you go ahead and be proud. And try to stay that way when Oregon starts to abound with reports of the elderly being euthanized at the doctor's decision, rather than their own -- just as has happened in the Netherlands.

We kill babies when their continued existence would inconvenience us. Now we're killing the sick elderly, who can seldom put up an adequate fight against the concerted pressure of medical men and relatives. Does anyone else remember what Martin Niemoller said on this subject?

I will be addressing that issue in a post, Francis; please avoid letting the discussion lapse into the personal.

I believe the beauty of living in America is having the freedom to choose. I wake up in the morning and choose what I do with my day. I choose what I put into my body, I choose a God that I worship, I choose an existence of my own design.

And when the day comes, I know I will have a choice of whether or not I continue my existence.

I believe I deserve the right to choose how I die. I believe you deserve that right, too. And I believe all my neighbors should be best judge of when the time to leave this life is...not doctors who can keep us on machinery and extend our "lives" indefinitely.

Your insults mean nothing. And I do remain proud. One day we will look back on this and be stunned that the government ever wanted to interfere with such a personal decision.

When you spend years caring for the same person who only parts their lips to painfully whisper "please, I want to die, I can't take the pain", you might have some idea why I feel what I do.

And again: fact check please. Is that so much to ask?